Returning to Tonga: A volunteer’s journey with Altus Pacific Aid
Adapting to Changes
Over the Easter holidays, I had the privilege of travelling once again to Tonga with Altus Pacific Aid (APA) for a 10 day volunteer trip. This time, I was accompanied by my daughter Molly, who was on school holidays. One of the things I truly value about working with APA is their support of family-inclusive volunteering - something that makes these experiences even more meaningful.
Unfortunately, during our stay there was an outbreak of dengue fever. As a result, the Mango Tree Centre had to pause its usual in-centre programs and instead shifted to providing home visits only. This also meant we were unable to run our “Carer to Carer” course again this time (see our earlier blog for more on that initiative).
Despite these challenges, our team remained committed to making an impact through home-based support and therapy.
The Power of Community and Connection
APA strongly believes in building long term relationships with the communities we serve. Returning volunteers are encouraged, as this helps establish trust with families, clients and field workers - essential for delivering effective and compassionate care.
This was my fourth trip to Tonga, and each visit deepens my understanding of the local needs and strengthens the connections that make our work more impactful.
During our stay, we conducted home visits to 18 clients, focusing mainly on children and adults with cerebral palsy and similar conditions. These visits involved:
Clinical assessments
Providing education around cerebral palsy care
Developing at-home treatment plans and centre-cased plans for field workers
Distributing much needed equipment including positioning wedges, foot splints, hand splints and knee splints
Many of these orthotics are donated items that I collect throughout the year in New Zealand. I work closely with networks such as the Physiotherapists in Schools in Auckland, sourcing gently used orthotics from students who have outgrown them. These donations often prove invaluable to the families we support in Tonga.
A Glimpse Into the Impact
One particularly touching visit was a young boy, Sam* who had recently been adopted into a loving family with 10 new siblings (not uncommon in Tonga!). Like many children in the Pacific Islands, Sam did not have an official diagnosis. His adoptive mother was unsure why his body presented the way it did, and I explained that he showed signs of spastic diplegia, a type of cerebral palsy affecting mainly the legs. I spent time providing basic education around his condition and reassured her that, together, we could support Sam in a way that would prevent further deterioration and improve his quality of life.
Sam had knee contractures and tight hips and was unable to straighten his legs, he moved by ‘bunny hopping’ on his knees. Sam usually stayed at home because he needed to be carried if he was going into the community. I created a stretching program tailored to his needs and showed his mum how to massage his legs gently to help relax the muscles. I also fitted him with a sleep wedge for overnight comfort and knee splints to provide a prolonged stretch during the day. His left hand had increased tone, which affected his ability to use it, so I also supplied both a functional and resting hand splint. In addition, I referred him to a fellow volunteer Sue Fairhall, who will be running a wheelchair clinic later this year. She plans to source and fit a suitable wheelchair for Sam so he can access the community and join his family at church and other family outings. Sam’s family were incredibly grateful, and I look forward to seeing his progress in the future.
Catherine with her daughter and the team in Tonga
A Balance of Work and Cultural Exploration
Despite the long, productive working days, Molly and I managed to enjoy some wonderful adventures around the island. We were fortunate to stay with the local pharmacist, Jasmin, who kindly lent us her car so we could explore. One highlight was visiting the beautiful Ha’atafu Beach, where Molly delighted in collecting hermit crabs and snorkelling. We also attended a beautiful gospel performance at the Katea Retreat and enjoyed a delicious buffet of traditional Tongan dishes.
Our cultural immersion continued with a visit to Ancient Tonga, where we learned how to make Lu - a traditional dish of taro leaves wrapped around beef, onions, and fresh coconut milk and baked underground. It was delicious! We also discovered the cultural significance behind the woven mats worn at formal events, heard all about key aspects of the Tonga kava ceremonies, and learnt about traditional medicines - even trying a few ourselves! At Fehoko Art and Tours, we tried our hand at making handmade notepads and floral decorations using taro leaves. These experiences were enriching for both of us and deepened our appreciation for Tongan culture and hospitality.
These trips to Tonga are incredibly close to my heart. Each visit brings new challenges, deepens my connections with the community and reinforces just how privileged I am to be part of this work. I always leave inspired by the resilience of the families, the dedication of the local field workers, and the impact that even small interventions can make. I truly can’t wait to return.
Altus Pacific Aid is always looking for passionate therapists - Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Therapists - who are willing to volunteer their time and skills on trips like this. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to have you join us in making a difference.
*name changed for privacy reasons.
